Fluorescent lighting fixture



March 5, 1963 E. H. GOLKO 3,0

' FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Fi led Feb. 25. 19,60 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 0h/4P0 601/0 ArrapMz/s A March 5, 1963 E. H. GOLKO FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1960' IN VENTOR. 5.0%?0 A! 6044/0 W M r W W W W 5; My W United States Patent Ofifice 3,080,476 Patented Mar. 5, 1963 3,080,476 FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURE Edward H. Golko, Lyndhurst, Ohio, assignor to John C. Virden Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 25, 196i), Ser. No. 10,937 3 Claims. (Cl. 240-51.11)

This invention relates to fluorescent lighting fixtures, and more particularly to a lamp holder bracket and end closure for channel-type fluorescent lighting fixtures.

An object of this invention is to provide a bracket or structural member for a channel type fluorescent lighting fixture on which the lamp holders or sockets are mounted, and which also serves both as a closure for the end of the channel and as a cross brace between the channel sides.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bracket or structural member which allows the lighting fixture to be completely pre-wired and assembled at the factory and which for purposes of shipment may be folded so that it [lies entirely within the channel member and can be unfolded and prepared for installation in the field wlthout tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting for lamp holders or sockets in which the lamp holders or sockets are firmly held in the mounting bracket without screws or other separate fasteners and may be assembled on the bracket without tools or special fixtures.

The foregoing objects and features of this invention are accomplished in a lighting fixture according to the preferred embodiment of the invention by a bracket member which has openings for the lamp holders or sockets on its upper surface. The lamp holders or sockets are pressed through the openings and are held in position by frictional contact with inwardly bent resilient wedging tabs on the sides of the openings.

Each of the sides of the channel member and the sides of the bracket member are provided with interengaging tongues, slots and abutments to lock the members together. When the lighting unit is packed for shipment, it is completely pre-wired with the bracket rotated inward from the channel end to a position where the lamp holders or sockets project parallel to the axis of the channel and do not extend above the channel sides. The bracket is held in this position against axial movement along the channel by the engagement of the tongues with their respective slots, and notches are provided on the bracket so that the wires are retained within the channel to prevent possible loosening of the connections and damage to the wire and its insulation. To prepare the fixture for installation, all that is required is to manually rotate the bracket about an axis transverse to the channel axis until the lamp holders or sockets are in the upright position. When the bracket is moved into this position, the pairs of abutment lugs engage the ends of their respective slots to lock the bracket against further movement in any direction and position the bracket so that the end closure plate is fitted across the end of the channel. The resultant assembly is quite rigid yet can be readily disassembled by simply spreading the channel sides to release the abutment lugs from their engagement with the slots on the bracket sides.

Additional objects and features of this invention will become clear from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the bracket and the channel member;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled fixture with the bracket in the folded position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 2

but with the bracket rotated partially toward the upright position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, but with the bracket locked in the upright position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4 showing the mounting of the lamp holder or socket in the bracket; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and showing the locking engagement between the bracket and the channel.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the bracket member 10 is fitted within the end of a channel member 11, only the one end portion of which has been shown, it being understood that the remainder of the channel may be of the usual construction having a ballast mounted at an intermediate point and another bracket similar to bracket member 10 mounted in the other end of the channel to support the other ends of the fluorescent lamps.

The channel member 11 is formed of sheet metal and is shown as having a bottom surface 12 and upstanding sides 13 and 14. These sides 13 and 14 are each provided with an inwardly projecting tongue 15 and 16 spaced inward from the channel end. These tongues are cut and formed out of the channel sides and are spaced away therefrom by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the sheet metal used for bracket 10. The channel sides 13 and 14 are also provided with a pair of inwardly facing abutment lugs 17 and 18 and a pair of outwardly facing abutment lugs 19 and 20, which are cut and bent to project inwardly from the channel sides.

The bracket member 10 is also formed from sheet metal and includes an upper surface 21 and an end surface 22, both of which extend laterally across the channel between the sides 13 and 14. The bracket is also provided with side surfaces 23 and 24 which are bent downwardly from upper surface 21 and extend parallel to the channel sides 13 and 14. These bracket sides 23 and 24 are provided with a first pair of elongated, rectangular slots 25 and 26 to receive the tongues 15 and 16. In addition, the sides are provided with a second pair of rectangular slots 27 and 28 extending along the same axis as that of the slots 25 and 26 and are positioned to receive the abutment lugs 17 and 19, 18 and 20, respectively. These slots 27 and 28 are of the same width as the abutment lugs and are of the same length as the spacing between the ends of the inward and outward abutment lugs. As a result, each pair of lugs bears against its associated slot at both ends and along the sides to lock the bracket firmly in position within the channel.

The bracket sides 23 and 24 are each provided with a first pair of inwardly bent lips 29 and 30 on the inner edges adjacent the ends of the first pair slots 25 and 26 and with a second pair of similar but somewhat longer lips 31 and 32 on the bottom edges of the sides 23 and 24, respectively. These lips 29, 3t}, 31, and 32 serve as guides during assembly as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The bracket member 10 has been shown in the twin lamp size to mount a pair of lamp holders or sockets 33 and 34, although it is understood that for other sizes a greater or lesser number of lamp holders or sockets may be provided. These sockets 33 and 34 are of the conventional variety having an enlarged base 35. and an upright portion 36 having parallel lateral sides 37. These sockets 33 and 34 fit within cutout openings 39 and 40 in the upper bracket surface 21. Each of these openings 39 and 40 has a pair of upwardly bent and inwardly projecting resilient tabs 41 to make frictional engagement with the lateral sides 37 of the socket. To provide adequate flexing action for the tabs '41, they are provided on each side with clearance notches 42. The tabs 41 sockets. To lock the sockets in position with their bases 35 -abutting against the lower side of upperbracket surface 21, the bracket end 22 is provided with lances or locking tabs 4i; to engage the socket bases 35. These lockingtabs '48 are stamped or cut from the end surface 7 22 with their upper or free ends projecting resiliently inward to make abutting contact against thelower side 38- ofthesocket bases 35.

Additional details of the structure of the bracket and channel members will become apparent in the following description of a method of assembly of the lighting fixture. The first step in making such assembly is to wire the sockets 33 and 34 using wires 43 which are connected to the sockets in the usual manner. The wired'sockets are then pressed upward throughthe openings 39 and it? from the underside until the enlarged socket base 35 comes into abutting contact with the lower side of upper bracket surface 21. As a socket is pressed through its opening, the socket-sides 37 spread apart the resilient tabs 41, and the enlarged base 35 depresses the locking for assembly with the channel member ll. To insert the bracket lllintothe channel, the bracketis held as in the position shown in FIG. 2 but spaced upward and The one pair of.

out of contact with the channel 11. lips 29 and 3d are aligned vertically above the tongues 15 and 16 and the bracket isthen pressed downward between the channel sides 13 and 14.- The lips 29 and- 30 guide the tongues 15 and 16 and allow them to slide onto thebracket sides 23 and 2 by virtue of yielding action on the part of both the bracket sides and the channel sides513 and 14.- As: the bracket is pressed all the way downward, the tongues 15 and-l6 slip into the slots 25 and '26 and allow the channel sides 13 and-14 and the bracket sides 23 and 24 to spring together into abutting contact. The bracket w is now pressed farther downward until it'comes into-contact with'the' bottom surface 12 i of the-channel, in which position the bracket end surface 22 and the sockets 33 and .34 are below the :upper edges of the channel side 13 and 14.

To allow clearance between the bracket and the bottom surface of the channel for the wires 43 which lead inwardly from the sockets 33'iand 34 toward the center 7 of the channel to make connection in the usual manner,

clearance notches or lips 44 are provided on the inner edge of the upper bracket surface 21. The bracket is now assembled with the channel in the position shown in FIG. 2, and it is intended that the lighting fixture be shipped .in thisform inasmuch as it allows the entire lighting fixture to be packaged in a container no larger than that otherwise required for the channel member 11 alone.

When the lighting fixture is to be installed, the only step that is'required is to rotate the bracket 10 by hand about an axis transverse to the channel through the position .shown in FIG. 3 and into upright position as shown in-FIG; 4. It will be seen that the tongues 15 and 15 serve in efiect as a pivot about which the bracket llti will rotate. To provide the necessary clearance for this rotation, the corners of the bracket sides 23 and 24 are cut off at 46' to prevent interference between the bracket and the channel bottom surface 12. As the bracket is rotated to the position of FIG. 3, the lips 31 and 32 slide 'over' the. sets of abutment lugs 17 and =19 and 18 and 2t) toallow these lugs to slide. onto the bracket side sun faces 23 and 24. As these abutment lugs move onto the side surfaces, the bracket sides spring inward slightly at the same time as the channel sides 13 and 314 spring outwardly to provide the necessary clearance for the abutment lugs between the sides of the bracket and the channel.

When the bracket is rotated completely into the upright position-as shown in FIG. 4, the two pairs of abutment lugs 17 and 19' and 18 and 28 should engage their respective slots 27 and 28. If full engagement does not immediately occur, as may happen if the bracket 10 has accidentally been displaced during rotation longitudinally inward fromrthe channel end, all that is required is to slide the bracket lit outward toward the end of the channel until the abutment lugs l7, l8, l9 and 20 snap into the slotsZ'Tand 28.

When the bracket it is securedin this position, it will be seen that the bracket end surface 22 closes off the end of the channel and is firmly locked in place. The inwardly facing abutment lugs '17 and 18 engage the inward ends of slots 27 and 28 to prevent further outward movement of the bracket it and in like manner, the outwardly facing abutment lugs 19 and 2G engage the outer ends of'their respective slots 27 and 28 to-secure the Further rotation of the bracket 10 in either direction ispreventedby virtue of the engagement of the sides of the abutment bracket against axially inward movement.

lugs with the sides of the slots 27 and 28 and similar engagement-between the sides of the tongues =15 and '16 and V the sides of theirslots 25 and 26.

It will be seen that when the bracket is in this position it also serves as a cross brace between the channel sides I 13 and 14. Any inward bending on the part of the channel sides 13 and 1d isresisted by abutting contactwith the bracket sides 23 and 24. As is shown more-clearly:

in FIG. 6,-the ends of the tongues 15 and l extend axially inward beyond the ends of their respective slots 23 and 24. As a result of this, outward bending forces applied to the channel sides 13 and 14 will cause the tongues 15 and 16 to' move outward and into abutting cont-act with the inner bracket sides 23 and 24. Thus'the bracket '10 braces against bending of the channel sides either inwardly-or outwardly and is unitarilylocked with the channel to provide a rigid box-like structure for the lightingfixture.

Lighting fixtures of the channel type are often mounted in a continuous row installation with the channel endsabutting. In this type'of installation, the bracket end sur-" face 22 of one-fixture will be in abutting contact with the end surface of the bracket of the adjacent-fixturq-and openings must be supplied to allow the Wires to pass through the end surface from fixture to fixture. For this edge to provide clearance for the raceways which are attached to the channel bottom surface 12. With such in-. stallation, it is desirable that the adjacent brackets be secured together, and for this purpose, the end surface22 .L 19-21180 provided with drilled holes -52 to receive sheet; These holes may also be utilized for the attachment of a decorative cover plate when the bracket m'etal screws.

end is left exposed.

If it is found necessary to replace thesockets 33' and 34 for anyreason, these-sockets may be removed by depressing-thelocking tabs -43 and then pressing the socket downward through the uppersurface 21-. In case the replacement socket is of slightly different dimension so as not to be firmly held in place by resilient tabs 41 and locking tabs 48, or if these tabs have become broken or damaged, U-notches 54 are provided. on the upper bracket surface 21 adjacent each of the socket openings 39 and 40 to receive a locking screw for holding the replacement socket in place in the well known manner. Upper bracket surface 21 is also provided with an oblong slot 55 to receive a fastener for attachment of a suitable cover to extend over the open side of channel member 11 between the brackets at each end, as is well known in the art.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is understood that "arious modifications and rearrangements may be made in the structure thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A lighting fixture assembly comprising an elongated channel having a bottom and substantially parallel sides extending substantially normal to said bottom, a bracket assembly having a side portion adjacent to each of the sides of said channel, said bracket assembly being movable between an operative position and a folded position, an elongated notch formed in each side portion of said bracket assembly, each providing opposed side edges and at least one end edge, said notches and opposed edges extending substantially longitudinally of said channel when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and substantially normal to said bottom when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, a projection on each of said sides of said channel having a length normal to said bottom substantially equal to the spacing between said side edges adjacent to the associated end edge, said projections engaging the opposed side edges and the end edge of the associated notches when said bracket is in said operative position and being spaced from the end edge of such associated notch when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, and means on said bracket assembly and the sides of said channel engaging when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and cooperating with said notches and projections to secure said bracket assembly in said operative position, said means being spaced longitudinally along said channel from said notches and said projections.

2. A lighting fixture assembly comprising an elongated channel having a bottom and substantially parallel sides extending substantially normal to said bottom, a bracket assembly having a side portion adjacent to each of the sides of said channel, said bracket assembly being movable between an operative position and a folded position, an elongated notch formed in each side portion of said bracket assembly and each providing opposed side edges and at least one end edge, said notches and opposed edges extending substantially longitudinally of said channel when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and substantially normal to said bottom when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, a projection on each of said sides of said channel having a length normal to said bottom substantially equal to the spacing between said side edges adjacent to the associated end edge, said projections engaging the opposed side edges and the end edge of the associated notches when said bracket is in said operative position and being spaced from the end of such associated notch when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, and means on said bracket assembly and the sides of said channel engaging when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and cooperating with said notches and projections to secure said bracket assembly in said operative position, said means being spaced longitudinally along said channel from said notches and said projections, and a lamp socket mounted on said bracket, said bracket and lamp socket being located between said sides of said channel when said bracket is in said folded position.

3. A lighting fixture assembly comprising an elongated channel having a bottom and substantially parallel sides extending substantially normal to said bottom, a bracket assembly having a side portion adjacent to each of the sides of said channel, said bracket assembly being movable between an operative position and a folded position, an end wall on said bracket closing the end of said channel when said bracket is in said operative position, an elongated notch formed in each side portion of said bracket assembly each providing opposed side edges and at least one end edge, said notches and opposed edges extending substantially longitudinally of said channel when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and substantially normal to said bottom when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, a projection on each of said sides of said channel having a length normal to said bottom substantially equal to the spacing between said side edges adjacent to the associated end edge, said projections engaging the opposed side edges and the end edge of the associated notches when said bracket is in said operative position and being spaced from the end edge of such associated notch when said bracket assembly is in said folded position, and means on said bracket assembly and the sides of said channel engaging when said bracket assembly is in said operative position and cooperating with said notches and projections to secure said bracket assembly in said operative position, said means being spaced longitudinally along said channel from said notches and said projections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,684,847 Raymond Sept. 18, 1 928 1,950,250 Kinney Mar. 6, 1934 2,436,266 Richardson Feb. 17, 1948 2,483,165 Young Sept. 27, 1949 2,531,533 Shaw Nov. 28, 1950 2,567,014 Fine et al. Sept. 4, 1951 2,769,081 Sinutko Oct. 30, 1956 2,905,809 Pascucci Sept. 22, 1959 2,958,763 Bodian Nov. 1, 1960 OTHER REFERENCES Lighting, February 1955, p. 39, by the Crownlite Fluorescent Co., Windsor Ave., Mineola, L.I., N.Y.

Westinghouse Publication: Type EBC Luminaire Hood (Rotating Sockets), Westinghouse Elec. Corp., Lighting Div., Cleveland, Ohio, printed in U.S.A, 5-53. 

1. A LIGHTING FIXTURE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AN ELONGATED CHANNEL HAVING A BOTTOM AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SIDES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID BOTTOM, A BRACKET ASSEMBLY HAVING A SIDE PORTION ADJACENT TO EACH OF THE SIDES OF SAID CHANNEL, SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN AN OPERATIVE POSITION AND A FOLDED POSITION, AN ELONGATED NOTCH FORMED IN EACH SIDE PORTION OF SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY, EACH PROVIDING OPPOSED SIDE EDGES AND AT LEAST ONE END EDGE, SAID NOTCHES AND OPPOSED EDGES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CHANNEL WHEN SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION AND SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID BOTTOM WHEN SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY IS IN SAID FOLDED POSITION, A PROJECTION ON EACH OF SAID SIDES OF SAID CHANNEL HAVING A LENGTH NORMAL TO SAID BOTTOM SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID SIDE EDGES ADJACENT TO THE ASSOCIATED END EDGE, SAID PROJECTIONS ENGAGING THE OPPOSED SIDE EDGES AND THE END EDGE OF THE ASSOCIATED NOTCHES WHEN SAID BRACKET IS IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION AND BEING SPACED FROM THE END EDGE OF SUCH ASSOCIATED NOTCH WHEN SAID BRACKET ASSEMBLY 